In a bid to address alleged contract irregularities, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has established an eight-member panel tasked with implementing the recommendations outlined in the report and white paper produced by a committee that scrutinized contracts awarded during the tenure of the immediate past governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
The panel, comprising key government officials and chaired by Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi, has been mandated to ensure the prosecution of individuals implicated in contract malpractices and to enforce all institutional suggestions aimed at preventing future distortions in contract award processes.
The committee members include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde; Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Bashiru Bello; and Senior Special Assistant on Bureau of Social Services, Bello Sheriff.
Governor Adeleke had raised concerns about alleged corruption in previous administration’s contract dealings shortly after assuming office, prompting the establishment of the contract review committee through an executive order.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the newly formed panel is tasked with enforcing the recommendations outlined in the original review committee’s report and the subsequent white paper endorsed by the State Executive Council.
The terms of reference for the panel include enforcing the recommendations, prosecuting culpable individuals through relevant agencies, and implementing institutional reforms to safeguard against future contract irregularities.
The committee is expected to commence its operations promptly, translating each of the committee’s recommendations into actionable steps approved by the State Executive Council.
However, the move has drawn criticism from the Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tajudeen Lawal, who views it as an attempt by the governor to deflect attention from his alleged mismanagement of state resources.
Lawal questioned the timing of the panel’s establishment, particularly following recent accusations leveled against Governor Adeleke regarding contract allocations to his relatives without due process.
He cautioned the governor against perceived victimization of the opposition, urging transparency in addressing concerns raised about the administration’s handling of state projects.
